SO SOLID MEMBER CLEARED
So Solid Crew's Kaish (Shane Neil) walked free from court without charge yesterday after a hearing over those previously reported gun and drug offences. His lawyers took the opportunity to condemn the words of two MP's, who's comments, he said could have affected the trial: Home Secretary David Blunkett attacked much of hiphop's lyrics for containing "appalling" violence, and in January Culture Minister Kim Howells condemned the "hateful lyrics of those boasting, macho idiot rappers." Kaish's lawyer also said that he hadn't ruled out suing the government, after Kaish spent four months on remand needlessly.

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SPECTOR SPEAKS OUT
Phil Spector has spoken out for the first time after his arrest in connection with the murder of Lana Clarkson in February. In a lengthy interview with Esquire magazine he protested his innocence, and insisted that the actress shot herself. Spector has not been charged with the murder, but the police are still investigating  Spector was released from custody after posting $1m bail.

In the interview in the July issue of the magazine, he says: "She kissed the gun before pulling the trigger. I have no idea why. I never knew her, never even saw her before that night. I have no idea who she was or what her agenda was."

"She asked me for a ride home, then she wanted to see the castle. I was not drunk. I wasn't drunk at all. There is no case. She killed herself ... It's the 'Anatomy of a Frame-Up.' I didn't do anything wrong. ... If they had a case, I'd be sitting in jail right now."

The authorities investigating the case, say it will take months to gather evidence, but were unavailable for comment  though word is they have all but ruled out suicide.

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REVIEW: DJ Format - The Hit Song (Genuine/Pias)
In this, the second single to be taken from the 'Music for the mature B-Boy' LP, Format hooks up with Canadian MC Abdominal and, together, they tell the story of how the track came about. Like an "introduction to Hip-Hop production 101", Abdominal smoothly rhymes an A-Z account of how he hooked up with Format and instructs the listener about the mechanics involved in making a hit joint. Most definitely in an old-skool vein, DJ Formats production style is all about the underground funk and quick cuts and is closer to recent touring partners J5 than your MTV friendly 50 cents or DMX. Remixes bundled with the single Come courtesy of Psycho Pab of Psychonauts fame and The Quartertones who are Canada's worthy answer to The Breakestra and are as different and as hot as you'd expect. Seek and consume. TM
Release date: 16 Jun
Press Contact: Zzonked [all]

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GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT LOCAL RADIO PROGRAMMING
During a communications bill debate last night, Culture minister Baroness Blackstone told the House of Lords, that the government would introduce amendments to strengthen new super regulator Ofcom's powers to protect local commercial radio programming. The strengthening of regulations is a major concession to lobbyists who fear that the liberalisation of radio ownership could lead to big US companies replacing local programming on local stations with syndicated output. The move is designed quell fears that US companies such as Clear Channel will enter the UK market and introduce syndicated programming.

She told the House: "We believe that there is a case for strengthening Ofcom's responsibilities for securing the broadcast of local material, of which an appropriate amount is locally made. The government is persuaded that we should make changes to the bill which retain protection for the local character of radio stations while addressing the issue of micro management [of the market by regulators]. I should like to consider the options and bring back amendments at the bill's report stage."

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LED ZEPPELIN TOPPING CHARTS AGAIN
That Led Zeppelin three-CD live box-set, 'How the West Was Won' has topped the US charts - their first US No. 1 album since 'In Through the Out Door' was released in 1979. The new collection released by Warners subsidiary Atlantic and featuring recordings from two 1972 California concerts debuts atop the Billboard
200, having sold 154,000 units in its first week.

'How the West Was Won' is the band's third compilation since 1990, and the third to reach the top 20. 'Remasters' went in at 18 in 1990, and the 'BBC Sessions' LP reached No. 12 in 1997.

Released simultaneously, the 'Led Zeppelin DVD' set new a record for the highest debut-week and highest single-week sales for a music DVD selling 120,000 copies. The It smashed the record previously held by Paul McCartney's 'Back in the US' which sold a comparatively meagre 61,000 units in its first week late last year.

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GLASTONBURY KNOWS ITS PRIORITIES
The plan is this, the people who didn't get to go to Glastonbury this year will have priority next year. That is to say Michael Eavis plans to keep a register of all ticket holders for this year's event, and to stop them from buying tickets in the first 24 hours next year. Thousands missed out this year, of course, when tickets sold out in record time. Not too convinced the proposed system will work (presumably committed Glasto fans will use false names or get their mates to buy them tickets) but its an honourable idea.

Elsewhere in Glastonbury news, Eavis wants to make the main Pyramid stage a permanent fixture on his farm to make his annual application for a license to stage the festival a little easier (one less thing to put in the application). The local council is considering the application. (Legend goes that Eavis managed to get the original Pyramid stage built by incorporating a cow shed in it  farmers don't need planning permission to put cow shed up on their own land!).

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MORE SUMMER SUNDAE ACTS ANNOUNCED
Friday's line up for Summer Sundae has been announced. Taking place at De Montfort Hall and Gardens in Leicester on the weekend of 8-10 Aug the festival will see Mr.Scruff's 'Keep It Unreal' show with Homelife, Bonobo, Fingathing and Treva Whateva also appearing. Other acts performing include Ian McCulloch (Echo And The Bunnymen), Chrissie Hynde and Steve Earle. More information at http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/summersundae

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ART MAG MUSIC FOCUS
Modern Painters magazine is to feature a cover-mount CD including music from Four Tet (Kieran Hebden), (Matthew) Herbert and Add N to X's Steve Claydon. Aimed at writers, artists, musicians, poets, philosophers, and art historians, the magazine has a worldwide following and is well respected in and outside the art world. This summer's issue is to focus on music, looking at the influence of music on art and collaborative projects involving art, film and music. The special issue will launch on 12 Jun at the Venice Biennale, and Kieran Hebden will be performing.

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ONE TRUE VOICE LOOKING FOR NEW MANAGER
One True Voice, the pop five-some that came out of the last series of ITV's Popstars, have voiced there disappointment with Pete Waterman, the Popstars judge given the task of marketing the band. They told reporters the legendary pop produce doesn't really manage them at all.

"After Christmas, we were all a bit confused, and we weren't actually sure whether Pete was our manager or not, and it's only when we researched hard, we found out that we didn't have a manager. We're doing everything ourselves. I think we've done quite well, we're quite proud of the amount of promotion and that we've organised ourselves. We've organised a lot of gigs, we've organised a lot of radio interviews, a lot of promotions, even signings, whereas if we had a manager, it would all be done for us. We'd have more input in the direction of what we want to go like, what we want to do, what we want to where, and so on, and so on "

The band's single 'Shakespeare's (Way With) Words' will be out next week.

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LATIFAH WINS AWARD
It has been announced that the winner of The Neil Bogart Memorial Fund Children's Choice Award 2003 is to go to MC, producer, actress, manager and TV show host Queen Latifah. Neil Bogart who died in 1982 founded Casablanca Records, and signed, among others, glam-metallers Kiss and gay-icon disco diva Donna Summer. Over the years The Neil Bogart Memorial Fund has raised more than $12m for children and the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Also on the honours list are Anschuntz Entertainment Group President & CEO Tim Liweke, and Blue Note Record's Bruce Lundvall.

Rick Shoemaker, Board President said: "We are thrilled to be honoring such incredible individuals this year with our Children's Choice Award. Each year we recognize outstanding industry role models, and this time is no different. Not only does the evening promise to be incredibly entertaining, but I know that everyone will leave the Kodak Theatre on October 23 with a sense of understanding why we chose these three honorees."

The awards ceremony will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on 23 Oct.

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FIELD DAY HAVING PROBLEMS
More on the New York's Field Day (scheduled for this weekend) who are having real problems after local authorities turned down their licence application. The festival's promoters hoped for a change of heart but the New York State Police insist the application came too late to allow enough officers to be made availabe to help control crowds and traffic, while the local Riverhead Town Board still haven't had enough time to research all the implications of the licence application. The latest word is the promoters have accepted they won't get a licence for the original site (Calverton Enterprise Park) and they are considering shifting it all to The Giants Stadium.

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REVIEW: Various  Richard Dorfmeister Presents: A Different Drummer Selection (Different Drummer)
DD couldn't have chosen a better selectah (as it were) to celebrate ten years of forward thinking dub-shapes - with Rupert Huber his last project as Huber erred towards that dub sensibility. The album condenses ten years of dub into wicked 13 cuts from the likes of G-Corp, Rockers Hi-Fi and Noiseshaper, and along the way covers every aspect of a broad genre; from slow instrumental dubs, to house tempo vocal tracks like G-Corp's 'Liberation Dub'. Many find dub an impenetrably monotonous genre (me for one) but this compilation is absolute solid gold. JG
Release date: 2 Jun
Press Contact: Zzonked

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GIRLS ALOUD SINGER IN COURT
19-year-old Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy has appeared before Guildford Magistrates Court with regards those allegations that she committed a racially aggravated assault in Guilford nightclub, The Drink back in January. The case was adjourned by Chairman of the Bench, Sue Urquhart for a plea and directions hearing at Guildford Crown Court on 11 Jul. Tweedy has always denied the allegations of the attack.

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COCKER'S NEW PROJECT?
Jarvis Cocker has been performing new material under the name Darren Spooner and Relaxed Muscle. Appearing at a working men's club in East London, Cocker performed a number electro-pop tracks dressed in a skeleton outfit. Crazy.

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AMERICAN IDOL SIGNS DEAL
BMG subsidiary, RCA announced today that it has signed Clay Aiken, runner-up on the second series of the American Idol show. Aiken's double A-side 'Bridge Over Troubled Water/This is the Night' will be released in the US on 10 Jun, and will be followed by an album (executive producer by Clive Davis of Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings), in September.

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MANILOW BREAKS NOSE
And finally Barry Manilow has broken his generously proportioned nose after walking into a wall at his Palm Springs home. Manilow said that he was left disoriented  he was half asleep at the time. He added that he passed out for four hours and may now need surgery  blaming the incident on the fact that he stays in so many hotels. "In the middle of the night, I veered to the left instead of the right and slammed right into the wall. I may have to have my nose fixed and with this nose it's going to require major surgery." Manilow is currently producing a Rosemary Clooney tribute album with Bette Midler.